The Patriots Civil War
Usually this time of the year we are jockeying for the top 4 seeds in the playoffs, but for the last 3 years we are just hoping to make it. In another bizarre turn that never happened before, there seems to be a line drawn down the middle of the locker room.
From the start of the 2022 season fans were scratching their heads wondering why Bill would bring back Matt Patricia to be an offensive coordinator, a title he has never held. While the offense can make you fall a sleep at time and make you think your watching a high school game, Bill Belichick stood by his decision to bring in Patricia. Mid way through the season, Patriots beat writers started reporting there was a coo going on with several offensive players against Patricia, no one was surprised that Mac Jones was one of those players in said coo.
Mac Jones is in his second year and after learning a new system, one that was dumbed down from what was here since the Charlie Weiss days, hasn’t taken that leap he has looked the same if not worse than his rookie campaign. Reports came out of Foxborough saying that Mac was unhappy with the play caller. A novice football fan could see there were two different offenses run when Mac Jones was under center compared to Bailey Zappe. More down field throws where Mac has to stay in the pocket longer where as Bailey had the old Patriots system, quick throws and letting the receivers get the yards after catch. Coming back from his ankle injury Mac expressed his displeasure and hoped the OC would allow him to have more plays like Bailey was getting.
Rule 1 of the Patriots way- never express frustrations out towards the media, especially when it involves the coaches. I am positive this landed Mac in the dog house with Belichick. Was Mac right? Yes, Patricia’s offense with him is stale and boring but is it because he can’t be trusted? Is it because some of his teammates aren’t rallying around him? Trent Brown seems to be on the side of Mac isn’t the guy. He recently liked a post on instagram that has the Patriots bringing back either Jimmy G or Brady replacing Mac Jones. Did the Patriots scout team do enough research on this kid, did any of Mac’s Alabama teammates go to his birthday party? Is Mac Jones a prick? Signs are starting to point that way and that he is deflecting his poor play on his coaches and not taking responsibility.
The debate that Richard gave us the other night in our text exchange was who would you rather have, Mac Jones or Matt Patricia. On one hand you have a fat turd that couldn’t coach an offense to open a cereal box, on the other hand you have a QB who got to the pro bowl last year (because all other QB’s were injured or passed on the opportunity) and it may have gotten to his head and now is showing diva like tendencies. There’s not right answer in the debate Rich gave us. They both are splitting the locker room up and making for a toxic environment in Foxborough. Both need to go, or Mac can stay but has to earn his job next year whether that be between Zappe or another veteran QB that’s brought in during the off season.
Foxborough is crumbling before our eyes, the kingdom is falling but can be saved by the upcoming offseason. Just depends one which way Kraft and Belichick go.
